A Quantum Leap

“Following, above th’ Olympian Hill I soare, Above the flight of Pegasean wing. …Up led by thee, Into the Heav’n of Heav’ns I have presum’d, An Earthlie Guest, and drawn Empyreal Aire, Thy tempring; with like safetie guided down Return me to my Native Element: Least from this flying Steed unrein’d (as once Bellerophon, though from a lower Clime) Dismounted, on th’ Aleian Field I fall Erroneous, there to wander and forlorne.” John Singer Sargent, American, 1856–1925, Perseus on Pegasus Slaying Medusa, 1922–25, Oil on canvas, 137×125 inches, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912 and Picture Fund; 25.642. Photograph © 2003 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. John Singer Sargent, American, 1856–1925, Perseus on Pegasus Slaying Medusa, 1922–25, Oil on canvas, 137×125 inches, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912 and Picture Fund; 25.642. Photograph © 2003 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Pegasus, the horse of the Muses, has been at the service of poets throughout literary history. In the language of mythology, Pegasus was considered a “monster,” a being created from an unnatural amalgam of parts. The offspring of Poseidon and Medusa, Pegasus was born from the Gorgon’s head as she was slain by Perseus. Later, the creature served as the hero’s ally in the rescue of Andromeda. In other myths, Pegasus, constrained by the golden bridle of Athena, served as the vehicle of Bellerophon to slay the Chimera and later ascended into the heavens, transformed into the constellation bearing its name. On January 1, 2004, the Journal will experience a dramatic advance in capability, which will incorporate Neurosurgery’s Pegasus, a fully integrated workflow tool, into its editorial and production process. This Web-based tool enables: Online manuscript submission, Electronic management of the peer-review process, Digital art preparation, Electronic delivery of each manuscript to the production scheme. This powerful tool provides a Web-based interface that will empower the Journal to manage content from the submission of a manuscript through the peer review and production process in a single integrated work flow path that promises to dramatically reduce the cycle time by delivering the Journal to subscribers sooner. This streamlined facility has numerous ramifications for enhancing the situation for all concerned. From the Editorial Office’s perspective, this approach has become mandatory for a number of reasons but particularly because of the significant escalation in manuscript numbers received during the past several years—a number that is increasing monthly. Through Pegasus, authors are able to submit manuscripts and digital art files from any Web-enabled computer. They may then track their content through the peer review and decision process and will be notified via email when actions or decisions are required. Reviewers can access abstract information, review an article, and submit the final review from any Internet connection. Accepted manuscripts will then be delivered directly to the publisher in a standardized format that will permit dramatically reduced production cycles. Neurosurgery’s Pegasus, like the mythological creature, provides a remarkable new dimension. Now, for all concerned in the submission, editorial, and publishing process, it truly represents a quantum leap forward, and I encourage all contributors to take full advantage of its power. Access Neurosurgery’s Pegasus through the following Web portals: www.neurosurgery-online.com www.editorialmanager.com/neu/